Robbie Savage has called on critics of Steve Bruce to ‘apologise’ for ever doubting the Newcastle United head coach. Former Leicester City and Blackburn Rovers player turned pundit believes Bruce deserves credit for the job done this season and that those who labelled him as ‘inept’ when it came to tactics or put United down as favourites for relegation should say sorry. Steve Bruce was one of the favourites to be sacked at the start of the season but Newcastle has not only kept the team away from relegation battle but they are eyeing a top-half finish.
Robbie Savage said “Whether or not Steve Bruce remains manager of Newcastle United after the proposed takeover goes through is not up to me, But I do know one thing: he is owed an apology by whole platoons of ‘experts’ and critics, some of them within the Toon Army itself, who said his appointment was a relegation waiting to happen and that he was tactically inept. For a start, I thought the lukewarm reception when Bruce got the job was an insult to a proud Geordie who was taking on his dream appointment, just as Sir Bobby Robson did 20 years earlier. While Rafa Benitez is a terrific manager and rightly adored by Newcastle fans, 45 points was his highest total in the Premier League season at St James’ Park. Bruce has already collected 42 with six games to go (now 43 with five games to go). Maybe, just maybe, Steve Bruce knows what he is doing.”